Did you know that the average weight of the engine in a small car is around 158 kg? Also, did you realise that when that motor is in full song, it tends to vibrate a great deal and needs to be securely held in place in order to work correctly? Most people do not give their engine mountings a second thought as they are hidden on the underside of the chassis, but given the pressure they come under, it's no surprise that they sometimes fail. How do you know if you're encountering such a problem and how easy is it to fix?
Mountings at Work
Engine mountings have to be flexible but strong. However, there needs to be a certain amount of "give" in the mounting itself as, after all, the engine is also attached to other moving parts. To facilitate this, most modern-day engine mountings have a large chunk of rubber or similar material within an outer casing. Certain mountings may be filled with a liquid damper which performs just like a conventional suspension shock absorber.
Sophisticated Mountings
Luxury cars may even have electromagnetic mountings that are controlled by the vehicle's ECU. These mounts are designed to sense movement and make adjustments to compensate in order to reduce the amount of vibration that can be felt through the body shell.
Problem Areas
If the mountings on your vehicle are liquid-filled, they may be vulnerable to leakage. If they are more conventional, the rubber part could degrade as it is in a hostile environment and under attack from moisture, dirt and debris.
Signs of an Issue
Damaged mountings will not be able to perform as they should, and this will allow the engine to move a lot more than intended. This could lead to significant vibration and strange noises emanating from pulleys, driveshafts or the propshaft. The driver may also feel a noticeable thumping noise when they engage first gear, speed up or slow down.
Deteriorating Problem
If the problem gets really bad, the engine may shift within the bay or may appear to sag on one side. It won't be able to move a lot, though, as there are several mountings in play, and it's highly unlikely that all of them would fail at the same time. Also, an engine is almost always a tight fit within its surrounding environment, and in this case, it really doesn't have far to go.
Diagnosis
To diagnose a faulty engine mounting, a mechanic will need to elevate the vehicle on a lift so that they can inspect the area from underneath. Damage will be readily apparent, and replacement is quite a substantial job. After all, the engine may need to be attached to a hoist for stability before the mounting can be slackened off and removed.
Taking Action
If you're not sure whether your engine mountings are still serviceable, schedule a visit to a local mechanic.
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